Sabitlenmiş Tweet
Every young guy with a car in ondo and oyo state is a ritualist?
A few days ago, I was driving in Ibadan, along the Eleyele Market road toward Ologuneru area. Then I remembered that I had run out of beef and chicken at home, so I decided to stop by the market to get those and a few other things I needed.
I flicked on my right indicator to notify drivers and riders behind me, then carefully parked by the right side of the road.
Just before stepping out of my car, I noticed a young guy probably in his late 20's or early 30's driving a silver 2011 Toyota Corolla, with a lady I assumed was his partner. He was also trying to park, intending to park in front of me. However, his driving skills didn’t seem great, so he was taking his time.
Almost immediately, the riders behind him grew impatient. They started honking aggressively, shouting insults, and even hitting his car from behind. It quickly turned into a chaotic scene. I sat there thinking, this guy is just trying to park why not give him a moment?
Then suddenly, I heard a VERY LOUD BANG!
It startled me. Apparently, another man had come out of nowhere and hit his car really hard. The driver quickly got down to see what had happened, and an argument broke out between them. Meanwhile, the riders behind became even more agitated. Some were hurling insults, others threatening him, saying they would “deal with him” if he didn’t move the “stupid box” he called a car.
At that point, I had to step in. It was no longer just between the two men but it was one man against a growing crowd of over 20 angry riders.
I approached him and calmly advised him to get back into his car and not escalate the situation. I also appealed to the others to calm down, explaining that there was no need for things to get out of hand. Thankfully, he listened, got back into his car, and decided to drive off.
Just as things were settling, I heard a voice from behind me:
"All these young Yahoo boys… once they do their blood money, the next thing is to buy stupid cars and start disturbing the city."
I turned and saw the man speaking. He was wearing a faded yellow buba and trousers, with bathroom slippers on his feet. He looked to be in his early or mid-30's.
I replied, “Not every young guy with a car is a Yahoo boy or a ritualist.”
He snapped back, “Shut up! All of you are the same including you!”
That honestly triggered me. For a moment, I felt like hitting his nose with a punch. But then I looked at him closely, he looked frail, like someone who hadn’t had a proper meal in days. Yet, his face was filled with so much anger.
He continued, “You people should be happy nothing happened today. You would have learned your lesson. All you know is to do Yahoo Plus and buy ugly cars.”
At that moment, I realized his mindset was deeply flawed. To him, a young man owning a car could only mean one thing yahoo plus.
Immediately, I remembered a tragic case in Akure where a young man was lynched after an accident simply because he was labeled a Yahoo boy. I also recalled another incident in Ondo town, around Ademulegun Road, where a man was beaten severely and his car burnt for the same reason, assumptions.
Yes, Yahoo boys and ritualists exist.
But not every young man driving a car is one.
English
